Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Nuclear Fusion

lord goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the realisation of the potential benefits of fusion energy for the UK economy.

lord henley: The Government is determined to realise the potential benefits of fusion energy for the UK by maintaining the UK’s status as the best place for fusion R&D. On 27 March 2019, the UK and the European Commission signed a new contract extension until the end of 2020 for the Joint European Torus (JET) facility, a fusion research reactor operated by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the UK’s publicly funded, world-leading fusion research laboratory. This action is independent of the wider EU exit negotiations and safeguards the facility and over 500 high-skilled jobs at UKAEA’s Oxfordshire site. The government continues to support UKAEA, undertaking several recent investments and initiatives. In the 2018 Budget, the Chancellor announced £20m in the 19/20 financial year for UKAEA to begin development of a new UK based Nuclear Fusion reactor, STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), paving the way for new UK-developed fusion power and technology. In autumn 2018, UKAEA completed a £50m upgrade to the UK’s domestic fusion research reactor, the Mega-Amp Spherical Tokamak. UKAEA are also developing a new £86m National Fusion Technology Platform, building new fusion R&D facilities to secure the UK around £1 billion in international contracts and, over the longer term, put the UK in a strong position to exploit the commercialisation of fusion energy.

Factories

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Brexit uncertainty on the levels of stockpiling by factories.

lord henley: The Government is aware that factories are stockpiling essential parts to try and minimise disruption in a no deal scenario, and we continue to discuss the situation with businesses and other organisations. In a previous response I gave the noble Lord to Question HL14120, we outlined a number of steps that we have taken to ensure that both people, and businesses are prepared for EU Exit. Since then, some of these steps – that manage issues such as stockpiling – have evolved, as follows: HMRC have now written three times to the 145,000 VAT-registered UK businesses who currently trade only with the EU, setting out the actions they need to take, and the changes they need to be prepared for in the event of no dealWe have advised hundreds of ports, traders, pharmaceutical firms and other organisations that use the border about potential disruption, so that they can engage proactively with their supply chainsWe have published a leaflet for SMEs, that contains advice on actions to take, provides sources of support, and outlines the changes that may affect businesses when the UK leaves the EU The public information campaign pages on Gov.UK provide all up to date material on the considerations of EU exit for businesses, and the practical steps that they will need to take in preparation.

Independent Industrial Strategy Council

lord fox: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many times the Industrial Strategy Council has met.

lord fox: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the minutes of each meeting of the Industrial Strategy Council.

lord henley: The Industrial Strategy Council held its inaugural meeting on 1 November 2018 and the second meeting took place on 27 February 2019. Its next meetings are scheduled for 26 June 2019 and 3 October 2019 and will be held in Belfast and Manchester respectively. The minutes from every Council meeting will be published on the Council’s website which is currently being developed and will be operational by the Summer.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have madeof the risks and benefits of greenhouse gas removal technology; and what plans they have, if any, to increase funding of research intothat technology.

lord henley: The Government is continually monitoring the evidence base relating to Greenhouse Gas Removal technologies (GGRs). Additionally it commissioned a review by the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering on GGRs, published in September 2018, which includes specific assessment of the risks and benefits of the different GGR options.BEIS is co-funding an £8.6 million GGR research programme with UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) which will continue until 2021. In addition, projects for some GGR approaches are in scope for both our £20 million Carbon Capture and Utilisation Demonstration (CCUD) Programme and £24 million Call for Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) Innovation. The details of these successful CCUS and CCUD projects will be announced in due course.BEIS has held constructive discussions with UKRI about the possibility of new research funding for GGR demonstrators.

Jaguar Land Rover

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Jaguar Land Rover’s decision to shut down production short-term due to Brexit.

lord henley: We cannot comment on commercial decisions made by individual companies. However, the Government has a long-standing relationship and regular dialogue, with all major UK car manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover, on a range of issues including EU Exit. Jaguar Land Rover is a hugely important company for the UK. The company remains committed to its UK operations and is continuing to invest in this country. Leaving the EU with a deal that supports the future of British industry remains the Government’s top priority. We are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive and other advanced manufacturing.

Renewable Energy

baroness smith of gilmorehill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of the UK’s energy mix by 2030 will be delivered by (1) marine renewable energy, and (2) solar energy; and what stepsthey (a) have taken, and (b) intend to take, to achieve the delivery of that percentage.

lord henley: On an annual basis BEIS publishes updated energy and emissions projections, which are located on the BEIS website. In the latest report published 11 April 2019, renewables are projected to form 59% of the UK's electricity generation by 2030 (under the reference scenario). Up to the early 2020s, the reference scenario reflects current power sector policies. Beyond the early 2020s, the reference scenario includes assumptions that go beyond current Government policy. The results do not indicate a preferred outcome and should be treated as illustrative. Since 2003 the Government has made £174m innovation and grant funding available to wave and tidal stream technologies with £80m of that since 2010. Wave and tidal stream projects benefitted from the highest level of support under the Renewables Obligation (5 RO Certificates/MWh) and are eligible to enter the forthcoming Contract for Difference allocation round. As set out in the Clean Growth Strategy, wave and tidal stream technologies could have a role in the long-term decarbonisation of the UK, but they will need to demonstrate how they can compete with other forms of generation. Solar PV is a UK success story: under the RO and Feed in Tariff schemes, both of which have now closed, a total of 12.3GW of solar PV capacity was delivered. We are now exceeding our historic projections on solar PV deployment. In 2013 we estimated that solar capacity would reach 10-12GW by 2020, but latest figures indicate that we already have over 13GW of solar capacity installed in the UK; enough to power over 3 million homes. Subsidy-free deployment of solar PV may be a viable option for developers in future, with two such sites having already deployed in the UK, and the planned construction of two more large-scale subsidy-free solar projects was announced in February 2019.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Yemen: Armed Conflict

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the response by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledonon Yemen on 1April (HL Deb, cols 59–65), in which years the UK participated in coalition naval enforcement measures in Yemen’s territorial waters that put in effect UN Resolution 2216, adopted by the UN Security Council in April 2015, that prohibited the delivery of arms to Houthi rebels; what steps they have taken in response to the final report of the UN Security Council Panel of Experts on Yemen, published on 26 January 2018, which stated that the closure of the port of Hodeidah in November 2017 “had the effect of using the threat of starvation as an instrument of war”; and what assessment they have made of the success of Royal Navy officers in the coalition’s operational command rooms in ensuring the delivery of lawful shipments of food, water and equipment for the maintenance of water treatment plants to Yemen’s ports.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: UK naval forces are not operating in Yemeni waters. In November 2017, following an attempted Houthi ballistic missile strike on Riyadh, the Coalition introduced access restrictions on Red Sea ports. These restrictions were lifted two months later following concerted UK diplomacy and additional UK support to the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM). This included the International Development Secretary’s own visit to Saudi Arabia, where she made detailed operational requests on access and pushed for unconstrained access to be granted across the country. Royal Navy Liaison Officers operate in the Royal Saudi Naval Forces headquarters in a liaison capacity only.​

League of Arab States

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of theproceedings of the 30th Arab League Summit, held in Tunis on 31 March; and what action, if any, they intend to take as a result.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​We are aware that Tunisia hosted the 30th Arab League Summit in Tunis on 31 March. We note the Summit Declaration's call for greater cooperation and unity between Arab League member states, in order to achieve enhanced security and prosperity in the region. The UK continues to engage with Arab League member states and the Arab League secretariat on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.

Venezuela: Russia

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of thepurpose of the Russian military presence now in Venezuela, which reportedly includes special forces and cybersecurity personnel.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We believe that the arrival of Russian military aircraft, military personnel, and equipment at Caracas Airport on 23 March seeks to prop up the illegitimate regime of Nicolas Maduro at a time when Venezuelans need humanitarian support, economic stability, and a functioning democracy. We believe this is provocative, ill-conceived and threatens to exacerbate an already complex situation.

China: Ethnic Groups

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Chinese authorities’ treatment of Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang region; whether they raised this issue during the 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC); and what discussions were held during the UNHRC session on the establishment of an independent international fact-finding mission to Xinjiang.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang and the Chinese Government’s deepening crackdown; including credible reports that over one million Uyghur Muslims have been held in re-education camps, and reports of widespread surveillance and restrictions targeted at ethnic minorities. Visits to Xinjiang by diplomats from our Embassy in Beijing have corroborated much of this open source reporting.At the most recent session of the UN Human Rights Council, I raised our concerns about Xinjiang during my opening address. The UK also raised concerns about Xinjiang during our Item 4 National Statement and we were among a group of states to co-sponsor a US-led side event on the topic.We were aware of calls by non-governmental organisations for the establishment of an independent international fact-finding mission to Xinjiang but no state took this up at the Human Rights Council. We believe that China should grant access to Xinjiang to independent international human rights mechanisms and implement the recommendations of the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). We reiterated these points both in the formal session of the Human Rights Council and in the US-led side event through our Permanent Representative in Geneva.

Sudan: Armed Conflict

baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the Sudanese Armed and Air Forces have increased their military presence in South Kordofan since January.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are aware of reports of the Sudanese Armed Forces being redeployed outside of the Safe Demilitarised Buffer zone in the border area of Sudan and South Sudan since October 2018 and are monitoring the situation. We continue to press all sides involved in the longstanding conflict in the Nuba Mountains – both government and rebel groups – to engage positively to reach an agreement for a lasting peace. We raised this frequently with the Sudanese authorities and will continue to do so. Human rights and conflict resolution remain key priorities for our engagement in Sudan.

Sudan: Armed Conflict

baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the SudaneseRapid Support Forces have been deployed to the Nuba Mountains; and what steps they have taken, if any, to ensure citizens of the Nuba Mountains are protected from violent conflict and human rights abuses.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are aware of reports of the Sudanese Armed Forces being redeployed outside of the Safe Demilitarised Buffer zone in the border area of Sudan and South Sudan since October 2018 and are monitoring the situation. We continue to press all sides involved in the longstanding conflict in the Nuba Mountains – both government and rebel groups – to engage positively to reach an agreement for a lasting peace. We raised this frequently with the Sudanese authorities and will continue to do so. Human rights and conflict resolution remain key priorities for our engagement in Sudan.

Jamal Khashoggi

baroness helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government what actionsthey have taken, if any, as part oftheirglobal campaign on media freedom to address the disappearance and murder of the Washington Post journalist Jamal Kashoggi.

baroness helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, as part of their global campaign on media freedom, to offer advice to the government of Saudi Arabia.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The death of Jamal Khashoggi brought the issue of media freedom into sharp focus. The UK’s condemnation of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi has been made clear to the Saudi authorities at the highest levels. 2018 was the deadliest year for journalists, with 99 killed, 348 detained and 60 taken hostage by non-state groups. As part of the global media freedom campaign, the Foreign Secretary and his Special Envoy on Media Freedom, Amal Clooney, will establish a panel of legal experts who will examine legal and policy initiatives that states, including Saudi Arabia, can adopt to improve media freedom.

Nassima Al-Sadah

baroness sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia about the continued solitary confinement of female campaigner Nassima Al-Sadah, and about the fact that although originally detained with the 11 women who were brought to trial in Riyadh on 13 March, she has not been charged with a crime; and what response they have received to any such representations.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are closely following the case of Nassima Al-Sadah and other women’s rights defenders. We continue to raise our concerns with the Saudi authorities about the alleged mistreatment of women’s rights activists in detention. The UK, along with other embassies in Saudi Arabia, requested and were denied access to the trials of women’s rights defenders that took place on 13 and 27 March.

Palestinians: Demonstrations

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what were the grounds for their abstention from the vote on the motion endorsing the Report of the detailed findings of the independent international Commission of inquiry on the protests in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, published on 18 March, at the Fortieth Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 22 March.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Our abstention followed from our position in May 2018, when we abstained on the resolution that created the Commission of Inquiry into the Gaza protests. Our expectation is that accountability must be pursued impartially, fairly, and in a balanced manner. We could not therefore support a resolution that failed to call explicitly for an investigation into the action of non-state actors such as Hamas. It is a source of great concern that, between 30 March 2018 and 31 March 2019, over 29,000 Palestinians have been injured and 195 Palestinians have been killed during the Gaza protests. So while we are clear that Israel has the right to self-defence, and that Hamas operatives have cynically exploited these protests, we have also expressed to Israel our serious concerns about the use of live ammunition and excessive force by the Israel Defence Forces. We continue to fully support an independent and transparent investigation into the deadly events in Gaza. Our decision to abstain alongside Denmark, Croatia, Italy and Japan, reflects this balanced approach.

Israel: West Bank

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they will make to the government of Israel about reports of the continued demolition of homes and animal shelters by Israel in Area C of the West Bank under the pretext of a lack of planning permission.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We have repeatedly made clear to the Israeli authorities our serious concern at the increase in demolitions of Palestinian properties in Area C of the West Bank. We call on them to cease the policy of demolitions and to provide a clear, transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C.

Mohammad Ali Dar Adwan

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel following the killing of Mohammad Ali Dar Adwan in Qalandiya refugee camp by Israeli forces and reports of the subsequent mistreatment of the body leading to violent clashes with local residents.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are aware of the case in question. We have regularly lobbied the Israeli authorities to avoid civilian casualties, to ensure that any actions they take are proportionate and to adhere to international humanitarian law.

Hong Kong: Human Rights

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have raised with the government of China (1) the jailing of political protestors,(2) restrictions on free speech, (3) the abduction of booksellers who supply titles critical of China’s rulers, (4) the banning of a political party, and (5) the expulsion of a senior Financial Times journalist, Victor Mallet, in Hong Kong.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The British Government takes extremely seriously our longstanding duty to uphold the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. We will continue to monitor closely events in Hong Kong, speaking publicly on issues of concern. We have raised a number of concerns with the Chinese and Hong Kong SAR Governments, including the banning of the Hong Kong National Party, the refusal of Victor Mallet's visa renewal, the abduction of the booksellers, and wider concerns about the erosion of rights and freedoms, including the right to free speech, guaranteed by the Joint Declaration.  The Six Monthly Reports to Parliament contain a detailed analysis of developments, and clearly sets out where we have concerns. ​

Hong Kong: Human Rights

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that the new national anthem law in China, which applies at the high-speed rail terminus in Hong Kong, and which has made it an offence to insult China’s national anthem, while failing to define such insults, will have on the human rights of Hong Kong citizens; and what assessment they have made of the implications of (1) the new Chinese national security law, and (2) proposals to change Hong Kong’s extradition laws to enable extradition from Hong Kong to the mainland.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We believe that it is fitting to show respect to any National Anthem. Whether it is necessary to enforce such respect with legislation is a matter for the Chinese and Hong Kong SAR Governments to decide. In Hong Kong freedom of speech is guaranteed under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and it is vital that such freedoms are fully respectedArticle 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law requires that Hong Kong enact laws relating to national security. We are not, however, aware of any plans to enact such legislation at the present timeWe are aware of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's proposals to change the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance. We have noted the concerns voiced by legal and business representative organisations and civil society groups in Hong Kong about both the content and the short consultation period allowed for the proposed changes. We have raised a number of issues with the Hong Kong Government, including the implications for both our joint security cooperation and our bilateral extradition treaty and the potential consequences for the UK business community and for UK citizens living in or travelling through Hong Kong. We will continue to seek clarity from the authorities on these points and to make clear that we would welcome a longer consultation period to allow the issues we and others have raised to be dealt with in a comprehensive way that maintains public and business confidence.  It remains the British Government's view that, for Hong Kong's future success, it is essential that Hong Kong enjoys, and is seen to enjoy, the full measure of its high degree of autonomy and rule of law as set out in the Joint Declaration and enshrined in the Basic Law, in keeping with the commitment to 'One Country, Two Systems'. ​

Israel: Palestinians

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 3 April (HL14802), what (1) steps they have taken, and (2) representations they have made, to the government of Israel about changing and improving the detention practices used by that government in relation to Palestinian children since the publication of the report by a delegation of British lawyers on the treatment of Palestinian children under Israeli military law Children in Military Custody in June 2012; whether they intend to take further steps, involving international organisations, in regard to the detention practices that government uses; if so, what; and if not, why not.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention remains an important concern for the UK. While welcoming the positive steps that Israel has taken since the last review in 2012, we continue to call upon Israel to improve its practices in line with international law and obligations. Officials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv raised our concerns about children in detention with the Israeli authorities on 18 March 2019 and reiterated the UK’s offer of expert discussions on the issue. We also raised the issue in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Human Rights Report, and on the international stage, including at the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Israel in January 2018.

Department for International Development

Middle East: British Nationals Abroad

baroness berridge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian conditions for British children living in refugee camps in Syria or in territory that was formerly part of the sovereign states of Syria or Iraq.

lord bates: The UK remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation throughout the region, including for vulnerable groups such as women and children. We are aware of a significant number of minors residing in refugee and internally displaced persons camps in former Daesh held areas.Limited access and harsh winter conditions continue to exacerbate humanitarian need. Access to food, sanitation, healthcare, shelter and education remain core concerns in the international response. In 2018/19, we provided over £40 million to address basic-life saving needs in North East Syria. Since 2014, DFID has committed over £250 million in humanitarian support to Iraq, providing a vital lifeline of emergency food, shelter, medical care and clean water.

Iraq: Reconstruction

the lord bishop of coventry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the progress of (1) material, and (2) social, reconstruction in Iraq.

lord bates: The fight against Daesh led to widespread damage to infrastructure, housing and communities across Iraq. The World Bank has estimated the cost of material reconstruction to be at least £67 billion. An unquantifiable but equally serious social cost has simultaneously been exacted on Iraqi society. The UN has spearheaded stabilisation efforts with its Funding Facility for Stabilisation (FFS), which helps stabilise areas liberated from Daesh by repairing infrastructure and vital facilities such as hospitals and schools. To date, almost 1400 projects have been completed by the FFS. The FFS has been the largest recipient of the UK’s own stabilisation funding in Iraq. There are also numerous examples of International Community-led activities focused on social cohesion and reconciliation. The FFS works to build cohesion amongst communities as the displaced return to their homes. Alongside this, the UK has spent £2.68 million targeting community safety and reintegration projects in Salah-al-Din and Nineveh. The UK and International Community will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Iraq as it rebuilds post-Daesh. However, as the immediate crisis recedes, only the Government of Iraq has the mandate, tools and capacity to take the primary role in driving systematic, long-term reconstruction across the country.

Syria: Reconstruction

the lord bishop of coventry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what contribution they intend to make, if any, to the reconstruction of a post-war Syria.

lord bates: The UK is clear that it will only consider funding for reconstruction within Syria once a credible, genuine and inclusive political process is firmly underway. To do otherwise would only exacerbate the grievances that led to the conflict in the first place. We are making every effort to achieve a political settlement that ends the suffering and provides stability for all Syrians and the wider region. While the conflict is ongoing, we are focused on providing vital humanitarian support for millions of people across Syria. We remain one of the largest bilateral donors to the humanitarian response, having committed £2.81 billion to the Syria Crisis to date.

Gaza: Hospitals

the lord bishop of coventry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing, if any, to the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City.

lord bates: The UK is not providing support to the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City. The UK continually monitors the humanitarian situation in Gaza and we are aware of the significant strain on the health sector. We have recently announced that we will be providing £2 million to the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) Appeal to contribute to the delivery of urgently needed surgical equipment, medicines, wound dressing kits, prosthetic limbs and post-surgery physiotherapy. It will also provide physical rehabilitation services for up to 3,000 disabled people. The UK’s commitment to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) currently provides vital health services for around 3 million Palestinian refugees and provides over 800,000 Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and East Jerusalem access to basic healthcare. The UK remains deeply engaged on the challenges facing Gaza’s health sector and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

UNRWA

lord polak: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussionsthey have had with the government of the United States about new models and approaches to ensure the long-term viability of the work currently undertaken by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

lord bates: The UK maintains a regular dialogue with the US on a range of Middle East issues, and has discussed UNRWA’s long term financial viability in light of the US decision to withdraw their funding.

Sustainable Development

lord porter of spalding: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the conclusion in the report by the Environmental Audit Committee Sustainable Development Goals in the UK, published on 26 April 2017 (HC 596), that they should do everything they can to support partners, including local government, to contribute towards delivering the Sustainable Development Goals.

lord bates: It is vital that all levels of Government, as well as civil society, business and others, continue to work together to deliver the Global Goals. The UK Voluntary National Review (VNR) will be an important opportunity to highlight work across the country to support delivery of the Global Goals, and we are determined it will tell the story beyond Central Government. Last month the Government hosted a series of VNR engagement events, including two focussed on local delivery of the Goals in Leeds and Bristol. We have also received over 200 submissions from organisations to our VNR website, showcasing what they are doing to deliver the Goals. This included a number of submissions from local authorities. The VNR is a stepping-stone rather than an end in itself and is an important tool to further galvanise action and activity across the UK in pursuit of the Goals.

Gaza: Children

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the study by the Norwegian Refugee Council on the mental health of children living in Gaza, published on 25 March.

lord bates: DFID has not made its own assessment of the study by the Norwegian Refugee Council on the mental health of children in Gaza, published on 25 March 2019, but have previously reviewed the UNICEF Overseas Development Institute December 2016 report and use it to feed into our analysis on the situation of people with disabilities. DFID is planning to commission a comprehensive assessment of needs and existing effective interventions which address the long-term needs of people living with disabilities in Gaza.

Developing Countries: Abortion

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the decision by the government of the United States to expand the global gag rule on the delivery of sexual and reproductive health and rights services supported by UK Official Development Assistance.

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any Department for International Development programmes will be affected by the government of the United States' decision to expand the global gag rule on the delivery of sexual and reproductive health and rights services; and if so, which.

lord bates: The UK government will continue to lead the world in our long-term support for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and to help women and girls get the information and services they need to give them control over their own lives and bodies. Following the reintroduction and expansion of the Mexico City Policy in January 2017, we have kept in close contact with partners to ensure the policy does not compromise UK-supported comprehensive SRHR programming. The full implications of the now further expanded Mexico City Policy are not yet clear, but we are closely monitoring developments. DFID will consider the implications with our offices and partners and with civil society and with donors.

Pakistan: Shanty Towns

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government when their officials working in Pakistan last visited the shanty towns on the periphery of Islamabad to report on the conditionsin which the residents live; and whether they are collecting data on the percentage of people from Pakistan’s minorities living in such areas.

lord bates: UK aid prioritises support for the poorest and most excluded people and communities in Pakistan. Thus, whilst we recognise that there are poor people living in Islamabad, UK aid is focussed in the provinces with the highest number of poor people and on strengthening capacity of those provinces to deliver basic services to their populations. DFID strive to visit as many programme locations as possible to gather feedback from communities, including minority communities. DFID Pakistan also has projects that work directly with minorities and aims to tackle the drivers underpinning intolerance and discrimination, through promoting greater understanding between communities. DFID Pakistan is striving to better disaggregate its results through a data disaggregation action plan which focuses on 4 key areas: sex, age, disability and geography. This will improve our understanding of those who benefit from our programmes. We do not currently have plans to collect data on religion as we recognise the risks associated with potentially revealing such sensitive information for religious minorities.

Pakistan: Minority Groups

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to reconsider their policy of disregarding the status of Pakistan’s minorities in determining and allocating development aid.

lord bates: UK aid prioritises support for the poorest and most excluded people and communities in Pakistan regardless of race, religion, social background or nationality. Our investment will not only assist Pakistan to become a more prosperous country that will help millions of its citizens living in poverty, but will also improve stability and security in Pakistan, the region, and beyond.

Pakistan: Shanty Towns

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any development funds are directed towards the rebuilding and provision of running water or electricity to Islamabad's shanty towns; and if not, why not.

lord bates: The UK’s work in Pakistan is focused on peace and stability, making democracy work, jobs and growth and providing basic services. UK aid prioritises support for the poorest and most excluded people and communities in Pakistan, thus DFID Pakistan’s bilateral programmes focus on provinces with the highest numbers of poor people and on strengthening the capacity of those provinces to deliver basic services to their populations. This includes supporting the provision of electricity and engaging with the governments regarding adequate water provision. While we recognise that there are poor people living in Islamabad, without access to electricity or running water, they cannot be our focus. We expect the Islamabad Capital Development Authority to support them with support received at national level from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

Developing Countries: Climate Change

the lord bishop of salisbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they have contributed to International Climate Finance in each year since 2016; what percentage that amount constitutes of the £5.8 billion they pledged to that fund; and whether the full amount pledged will be provided by 2020 as stated in the Paris Agreement.

lord bates: The Department for International Development (DFID), the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) are together responsible for spending the £5.8 billion of International Climate Finance (ICF) pledged by the Government in the period 2016/17 to 2020/21. The funding is earmarked within departmental budgets. In total these three departments have spent ICF of £1,119 million in 2016/17 and £958 million in 2017/18, representing 36% of the £5.8 billion commitment. The amount spent in 2018/19 is not yet available. The Government remains committed to delivering the £5.8 billion pledge in full by 2020/21, recognising the vital importance of supporting developing countries to tackle climate change. Each department has plans in place to deploy this funding over the remaining period to achieve the maximum impact possible.

Treasury

Taxation: Domicil

lord mccoll of dulwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that their policies have had on non-domiciled residents.

lord bates: The Government announced reforms to the way that non-domiciled individuals are taxed in the UK at the Summer Budget 2015. They came into effect in April 2017. The Government published a Tax Information and Impact Note which gives information about the impacts of these measures, which is available online. The Government also publishes statistics on the taxation of non-domiciled individuals annually, which are available on gov.uk.

Ministry of Defence

Yemen: Unmanned Air Vehicles

lord hodgson of astley abbotts: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UK's involvement in drone activities in the Yemen following the ruling of the Higher Administrative Court in Münster in the case of bin Ali Jaber vs Germany.

earl howe: Any use of force by the UK complies fully with UK domestic and applicable international law.We are aware of the ruling by the German Higher Administrative Court on 19 March 2019 that Germany has a responsibility for ensuring that United States (US) operations conducted from German territory accord with international law. The Court also held that a lower Court had correctly deemed the case inadmissible, on the grounds that it could not be proved that the plaintiff's father was killed by a US drone strike on the day in question in 2012. The Court also stated that it could not be proved that the German government had knowledge of the use of Ramstein for drone strikes in 2012.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what methods they use to estimate the numbers of civilian deaths resulting from the use of remote-controlled drones in counter-terrorist operations either directly by the UK or by their allies in(1) Yemen, (2) Pakistan, and (3) North Africa; and what figures are available for such casualties.

earl howe: The United Kingdom has not conducted airstrikes from any platform, either manned or unmanned, in counter-terrorism operations in Yemen, Pakistan or North Africa. We do not comment on the operations of other countries.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Brexit

lord lilley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their contingency preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement are complete.

lord callanan: The Government is continuing to prepare for all scenarios and we have taken appropriate steps to help mitigate the effects of no deal. We have passed critical legislation, signed international agreements, and guaranteed certain EU funding.We are continuing to communicate with businesses and the public and this will increase as we approach EU Exit until we are confident that contingency planning is no longer needed.

Brexit

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the possibility that the UK may lose its right to veto EU proposals in the event of a further delay to Brexit.

lord callanan: There is no conditionality attached to the Article 50 extension beyond existing Treaty obligations. The Prime Minister set out in her statement to the House of Commons on 11 April that the 10 April European Council (Article 50) conclusions are clear that during an extension the UK will continue to hold full membership rights, as well as be bound by its obligations.

Department for International Trade

Imports: Israeli Settlements

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Fairhead on 2 April (HL14807), what is their definition for the boundaries of (1) territories brought under Israeli administration since 1967, and (2) the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

baroness fairhead: It has been the position of the UK Government since 1967 that, in line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, the Occupied Palestinian Territories (the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza) are not lawfully part of the State of Israel. The UK does not recognise Israeli settlements as part of Israel. The UK’s position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution.

Imports: Israeli Settlements

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Fairhead on 2 April (HL14807), what steps they are taking to ensure thatproducts from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories of Palestine are identified as such and are not re-labelled as Israeli, when exported via Israel.

baroness fairhead: As referenced in my Written Answer on 2 April (HL14807), products produced in the Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the EU-Israel Trade Agreements. These areas are set out in a list of postcodes, which will be hosted on gov.uk, alongside a notice to importers. Tariff preferences will be implemented by UK customs authorities. We will also continue to implement the EU’s interpretive notice on the indication of origin of products from Israel settlements. These guidelines are an important step to ensure correct and coherent implementation of EU consumer protection and labelling legislation.